Minutes of Meeting 20th May
MINUTES OF THE MEETING THURDSAY, 20 May 2021 AT RANTON VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT:
Cllr. J. Forrester
Cllr. M. Russell (Chair)
Cllr D Batchelor (Vice-Chair)
Cllr Mark Winnington
Gayle Whelan (Parish clerk)
21/09 Apologies.
All councillors were in attendance in person.
21/10 Declarations of interest in the following agenda:
Cllr Russell (chair) declared an interest in planning application 21/33860/FUL.
21/11 Previous minutes:
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true record of the meeting.
21/12
Questions from the public
A resident had queried the possibility of a 20mph speed limit through the village. Cllr Winnington explained that a speed survey may be necessary and would look into this.
Another resident has forwarded pictures of a fence post damaged during grass cutting.
Action: Parish clerk will contact Streetscene and report the incident.
21/13 Finance matters:
Cllr Batchelor has formatted the budget spreadsheet, which has been circulated to councillors. Councillors agreed the budget for this coming year. Cllr Winnginton thanked Cllr Batchelor and the parish clerk for working on this.
Action updated: Councillors are still looking into the possibility of alternative banking after a number of difficulties with Natwest Bank over the years. Cllr Russell will make contact with Gnosall clerk and call into/call and enquire at Nat West Bank.
Accounts to date:
The latest statement date for 30 April 2021 showed:
Reserve account balance £978.00
Current account balance (as of 01.07.2020) £11,952.58.
Annual Budget 2021/2022:
All invoices were agreed and cheques were signed:
Gayle whelan 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 hours totalling 40 hours (£348.80)
Burntwood Group (gulley cleaning (£996.00)
Litter picking (£87.48)
Action: Payment for the Christmas Tree is still outstanding and will be signed at the next meeting.
AGAR: The financial AGAR was agreed and signed. This reported that for 2020/2021 there was £4,636 ross income into the parish council bank account, and £4,124 gross expenditure.
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Reports:
Mowing: Mr Jones has offered to clear the mown grass mound from the churchyard. It appears mowing has continued as per contract.
Highways:
Action: Borough councillor Ray Sutherland will be invited to attend monthly meetings and will be contacted regarding the next scheduled road sweep through the village.
A number of white paint lines have been drawn along Stocking Lane, with pot hole repair work having been completed along Butt Lane. The situation will be monitored as it is unknown when the work will be carried out.
Action: Cllr Winnington is to arrange a site visit with Highways.
Footpaths: Nothing further to report. Cllr Russell has been out walking several walking routes around the village.
Gulleys and weeding: It was agreed that this matter be discussed later on in year discuss when the gulleys will be cleaned again, before or after winter.
Action: Contact Streetscene and ask about scheduling a village roadsweep.
20/14 Clerk's report
National minimum wage increased from April 2021 from £8.72 to £8.92 per hour.
Action: Parish clerk will look the rates of hourly pay for admin clerks to bring the current rate of pay up to national minimum wage. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
20/15 Planning updates
Cllr Russell was excluded from discussion.
21/33860/FUL 3 Park Nook Barn Orchard Lane Ranton Stafford ST18 9JU. Proposed Agricultural Hay Barn/Store. Cllrs had no objections to the proposal.
20/16 Chairman's questions/items for information/next agenda
The next parish council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 20 May 2021 at 7.30pm, via Zoom online meeting.
Councillor interview asap - prior to next meeting at 7pm with Cllr Forrester who will report back to the meeting. Socially distanced and windows open.
Signed.................................................. Date...........................
Gayle Whelan, Ranton Parish Council Clerk. rantonparishcouncil@gmail.com